Fighters were expected to break a large attacking formation into smaller groups. Heavy anti-aircraft fire then divided those groups into pairs or individual aircraft. Medium guns filled the final approach with fire after the attackers had lost the reassurance and coordination of their formation. A frightened or hurried pilot could release a bomb or torpedo inaccurately and turn away. The defensive result therefore included wide misses and failed attacks, even when the guns did not shoot down the aircraft.
Notable Point · 1:27:36-1:29:15
Layered air defence breaks formations before disrupting individual pilots
Fighters, heavy guns, and medium AA successively fragmented a strike so isolated pilots faced the final approach under intense fire.